Google Just Unveiled Its Next Big Wearable Computing Platform

Google today announced that it plans to officially bring Android to smartwatches through its new project called Android Wear. It will enable developers to use features such as Google's Voice Search and health-tracking apps on wristwatches.

It's a free, open-source operating system, just like the smartphone and tablet version of Android.

According to a Google blog post, Android Wear will have many of the features found on existing smartwatches, including the ability to display updates from social media, message alerts, shopping notifications, and news.

Android Wear will also supposedly push fitness reminders to your wrist, and will likely integrate with existing exercise and workout apps.

Like most smartwatch systems today, Android Wear will allow you to interact with your phone, but Google envisions interaction on a broader scale. For example, the official post mentions you may be able to "cast your favorite movies to the TV," hinting at potential Chromecast integration.

Although a modified version of Android can already be found on a number of smartwatches, Google has a clear advantage in being able to stock its platform with the full selection of its services. For example, Google says its Android Wear platform will support voice-enabled search, a feature that would be especially useful on a smartwatch.

Google mentions that it has already teamed up with Fossil Group and a number of manufacturers, including HTC, LG, Motorola, and Samsung, to make watches powered by Android Wear. LG's device should be launching in the coming months.